Three years ago, Barnegat Township resident Thy (prounouced Tee) Cavagnaro began plans for yearly local commemorations of the Vietnam War. The groundwork for her initiative began when President Donald Trump signed an act declaring March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day.

Tributes were held in 2018 and 2019 on that date at the Frederick Watts Gazebo Park at the corner of Route 9 and East Bay Avenue. Speaking at the Feb.